Toe arthritis

[Which Roger]

I've had arthritis in both big toes for several years, and X Rays show that it's getting progressively worse. But it doesn't hurt much, often not at all, which surprises my podiatrist. I've developed a decent-sized bone spur on top of one of the joints, but there's no pain, so maybe I got lucky and the spur grew in such a way that it doesn't interfere with the joint. One concession I've made it to wear wider shoes with a bigger toe box, which seems to help. So I've been lucky thus far, but won't be surprised if someday it starts causing major problems.

[F4mandolin]

I could also have put this off for a few years....but if I move back to the UK....it's a bit harder to fix there. I think it very much is a case by case basis. I like the fact that I need to start planning now on getting rid of the treadmill and getting something else when we move back to the UK. There is a pretty big bicycle culture(racing which would fit my nature) there.....maybe I need to join in with that.

[Meadbh]

Good luck with your surgery.

[Alan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meadbh Good luck with your surgery.

+1

Have you tried an elliptical trainer? I find no pressure on my toes and back like a steep incline on the treadmill, but it is a great workout.

[F4mandolin]

I REALLY don't mean to sound condescending.....but elliptical trainers are near worthless for people trying to get a decent workout. Yep....I have used them....many times. If I have to replace the "in house" treadmill with another machine....don't know what I am going to do. Especially when we head back to UK land...... I had some machines in the gym at my last school/base that really kicked my butt. I called them the death machine....they weren't, but my heart rate got up near DEATH range when I used them. Elliptical worked ok for some people.....I just couldn't get a decent workout on them. Getting old sucks.....I mean....it really really sucks.

[Bestwifeever]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meadbh Whatever about the toe, you're wrong on one front. My name is Meadbh, not Mead. We had a thread about this a couple of weeks ago.

You know you are using a shortened version of his user name, right?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meadbh F4, you seem to have made your diagnosis. I hope your physician agrees with you. If not, will you follow his/her recommendations?

[Alan]

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Originally Posted by F4mandolin I REALLY don't mean to sound condescending.....but elliptical trainers are near worthless for people trying to get a decent workout. Yep....I have used them....many times. If I have to replace the "in house" treadmill with another machine....don't know what I am going to do. Especially when we head back to UK land...... I had some machines in the gym at my last school/base that really kicked my butt. I called them the death machine....they weren't, but my heart rate got up near DEATH range when I used them. Elliptical worked ok for some people.....I just couldn't get a decent workout on them. Getting old sucks.....I mean....it really really sucks.

Sorry to hear that. You're a fitter man than I am because even on quite a low resistance setting and going at 7mph I have a much tougher workout than I can get walking at 4.5mph on a 10% incline on a treadmill.

[Bestwifeever]

Quote:

Originally Posted by F4mandolin Surgery scheduled for 14 Nov. Everything was exactly as was shown on the site I posted earlier. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00168 Bone spurs built up around joint. Told me it would likely come back eventually as well. I do a lot of up hill walking on the treadmill at home.....he said that is now a no-no.....forever. So it is either the recumbent bicycle on my indoor bike from now on, or some other device that doesn't tilt my toe up too much. Walking on a treadmill on level ground is almost no exercise for me.....heart rate won't get high enough to do anything. I walk at 4.4mph uphill as it is.....so likely would have to go to race walking mode which I have tried.....and don't care for.

I think I have the same thing (and misdiagnosed as gout until tests showed it wasn't) and will be most interested in your report of the surgery. Hope all goes well on Nov. 14.

[Accidental Retiree]

I got arthritis in my big toe after working on an elliptical trainer, inclined, for a few months. I never had any idea such a thing could happen.

[F4mandolin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Accidental Retiree I got arthritis in my big toe after working on an elliptical trainer, inclined, for a few months. I never had any idea such a thing could happen.

To be fair.....I have no idea why this has happened. I have spent a number of years walking uphill on a treadmill....is that the cause? NO DAMN IDEA. Could it be because I drink too much beer?....yep. Could it be because I used to run 100 miles a week....and it was easy? yep. Could it be because I am part British/Irish/German/(and have freckles)??....yep. Could it be because I am getting friggin' old? likely. As I used to say to the kids in my class......"What's the best exercise you can do?".....I would get all kinds of answers....and usually my answer was "nope".....The BEST exercise, is the one you will actually DO. Running, walking, swimming, elliptical.... whatever.... just get off your butt and do it.

And.....as an old Health teacher in college once asked the class....."Will you mind getting older?".....the rest of the class answered no....getting older would be fine..... MY answer was HELL NO.....I'm going down complaining and fighting all the way. That's still my plan.....

[tinlizzy]

I have a friend who does cross country skiing. He says it's an exhausting workout and of course there's always swimming.

If you love to bicycle you should move to Iowa. Cycling crazed!!

[Alan]

I had a bad toe in my late 20's back in the UK and the Doc referred me to a specialist. He told me that he had similar symptoms but his was arthritis that he was convinced was due to his decades long habit of leaning back on his chair, pushing back on two legs. But, who really knows what causes these things. (He said I was a bit young for it to be arthritis, hence the referral)

My problem was that my toe was too long and a simple "fillet of toe" operation to shorten it was all that was needed.

[imoldernu]

Quote:

Getting old sucks.....I mean....it really really sucks.

Consider the alternative

[Rustward]

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Originally Posted by F4mandolin <snip> Gout is nasty...hits hard and stops you doing anything at all. <snip>

True in many cases; not true in all cases.

[F4mandolin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rustward True in many cases; not true in all cases.

But in this case, all the symptoms fit right in with it being arthritis. I actually wonder if gout wouldn't have been the better "choice" if you were going to get one or the other. Seems like they are getting pretty good at treating gout. My arthritis is still pretty mild which is why I wanted to get something done now while it was still pretty simple. I wasn't too happy to find out it would likely just come back eventually. Looks like I will be doing more bicycling from now on. At least that keeps the toe from bending back.

[nanannjen]

Quote:

Originally Posted by F4mandolin But in this case, all the symptoms fit right in with it being arthritis. I actually wonder if gout wouldn't have been the better "choice" if you were going to get one or the other. Seems like they are getting pretty good at treating gout. My arthritis is still pretty mild which is why I wanted to get something done now while it was still pretty simple. I wasn't too happy to find out it would likely just come back eventually. Looks like I will be doing more bicycling from now on. At least that keeps the toe from bending back.

Interesting question. My immediate response was - no - not gout! But upon thinking about it, you have the very valid point that gout is very controllable now - arthritis not so much. You're right - I'd take gout (and the accompanying meds) over arthritis!

[Alan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by F4mandolin But in this case, all the symptoms fit right in with it being arthritis. I actually wonder if gout wouldn't have been the better "choice" if you were going to get one or the other. Seems like they are getting pretty good at treating gout. My arthritis is still pretty mild which is why I wanted to get something done now while it was still pretty simple. I wasn't too happy to find out it would likely just come back eventually. Looks like I will be doing more bicycling from now on. At least that keeps the toe from bending back.

You may be pleasantly surprised. 10 years ago I had arthritis bone ridges planed off a bone in my shoulder and I fully expected to have it return. I was convinced it had this year but when I had an x-ray and MRI the original planing was as good as it was after the surgery 10 years ago. This time it was tendinosis (small tears) causing the problem, not tendonitis (inflammation) caused by rubbing against bone ridges. My problem is being fixed by physical therapy.

If cycling is less likely to cause arthritis then it is a small price to pay. Over the years I have had to modify what exercise I do as the old bodywork rots.

[F4mandolin]

2 weeks after surgery.....bored....bored....bored. I was pretty good about sitting in the recliner and keeping my foot up so they were pretty surprised after the first week that there was basically no swelling. Stitches were supposed to come out today/Thanksgiving....but obviously they aren't open so had to wait until Monday. Operation was as expected.....several bone spurs came off and they enlarged the area between the joint. Haven't been wearing the boot for the last couple of days.....just walk around the house with a limp to keep pressure off the toe. The boot/foot/socks really started to stink. I put the boot back on when we go to the store so I can walk faster. Going out to split some more wood in a little bit so will put the boot back on for that. Hoping I can get back on my bike in a couple of weeks.....really need to get some exercise. I am NOT good and regulating my food intake.....I eat more when I am stuck in the recliner. Although another little side effect of no exercise......I haven't taken a nap in 2 weeks. Still looks like it will be a fairly quick recovery.